Cavity Wall and Loft Insulation

26 June, 2024

When you’re looking for ways to keep your home’s temperature regulated and comfortable throughout the year, insulation might not be the first thing that pops to your mind because it can retain heat during the colder months. But insulation techniques like cavity wall and loft insulation can also help you keep your home cool in the summer.

Cavity Wall Insulation

Cavity wall insulation refers to the filling of the gap between the inner and outer walls of a property with insulating material. Wool and fibreglass are the two most commonly used materials because they trap bubbles of air within their fibres. The trapped air is an excellent insulator as it prevents heat transfer, so whether it is colder or hotter outside, the air simply cannot travel across the barrier created by the insulation material, and the temperature of your home is ‘insulated’ from the effects of the outside temperature.

A third popular insulating material is foil, as it is good at deflecting heat. Foil is often used in loft spaces and can be used to complement the use of fibreglass. If you are wondering whether your home needs extra insulation, there is an easy test to do: go up into your loft and see how it feels up there! If your roof is well insulated, the air in your loft will feel pleasantly cool. If you feel uncomfortably warm within moments, it is wise to plan to improve the insulation in your home.

Good insulation is a great cost-saver, as poor roof and ceiling insulation allows the loss of up to 40% of the heat or coolness of your home, and another 25% is lost through the walls and floor. Paying for extra insulation is very cost-effective, as heating your home will cost less, and you probably will not have to invest in fans or air conditioning during the summer months either, and you will not have to run up your electricity bill either.

Loft Insulation

Loft insulation is another great way to control the temperature of your home. Much of the heat that actually gets into a home comes through the roof, and without insulation, it will rapidly seep through the ceilings into the living areas, thus leaving the home uncomfortably warm.

Loft insulation creates a barrier that keeps heat from entering the home. Fibreglass, mineral wool, and cellulose are commonly used materials for loft insulation. They lay between and above the loft joists, trapping heat and preventing it from escaping into the rooms below.

Loft insulation helps you maintain cooler indoor temperatures during the summer. The lining insulates and then absorbs solar heat that would have entered the home through the roof, significantly reducing the indoor temperature. This enhances comfort and lessens the need for cooling appliances, reducing energy consumption and related costs.

The Combined Benefits

This combination of cavity wall along with the loft insulation is quite comprehensive in cooling your home in the summer. Together, these two methods create a thermal envelope around your property, minimising heat absorption from the outside. By reducing heat transfer through both the walls and the roof, your home will stay cooler for longer periods. This is especially useful during heatwaves when it becomes increasingly difficult to keep a suitable temperature inside the home.

Energy Efficiency and Environmental Impact

Effective insulation has a positive impact on the environment since it increases energy efficiency and lowers greenhouse gas emissions. There is a drastic reduction in the use of heating and cooling systems throughout the year, and good insulation also provides effective soundproofing.

If you want to improve the insulation in your home, hiring a qualified contractor is the best option. They will be able to assess the quality of the insulation and give advice on the kind that best fits your property.

Cavity wall and loft insulation are the two important constituents of a well-insulated house, which will help keep you warm during the winter and cool during the summer. We hope you reap long-term benefits by saving on energy bills and reducing your carbon footprint while relaxing in your cool property.

 

With thanks to our friends at www.cavitech-uk.com for their help with this article.